Under-deck storage unit for pontoon boat

ABSTRACT

A watercraft that includes a frame; pontoons mounted to the frame; a deck supported on the frame, the deck including a hatch covering an opening through the deck; and a storage unit mounted to the frame beneath the opening in the deck, and the storage unit having a bottom that is above a water line of the watercraft. The storage unit may be formed from a rotational-molded plastic. The bottom of the watercraft may include a trough. The trough may be deeper in one portion of the bottom and may be graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of the storage unit and deepest towards the rear thereof. A drain aperture may be provided at the deepest portion of the trough. The frame may include structural members, and the storage unit may include channels in an upper mounting end thereof, opposite the bottom, configured to receive the structural members. The channels may have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from the mounting surface. The storage unit may further include mounting flanges having bolt holes for bolting the storage unit to the frame. The storage unit may also include enlarged portions along the upper mounting end with the channels located between the enlarged portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage unit for a watercraft and, in particular, to an under-deck storage unit that in one application can be used for a pontoon boat.

It is desirable to have a place on a watercraft to store gear and other items. One such storage place that is often utilized is under the seats. In addition, many hulled boats typically have some type of under-deck storage in the hull area. Fewer options have been available for under-deck storage in a pontoon boat where there is usually only a frame and pontoons beneath the deck.

One prior art under-deck storage has been available for pontoon boats having three pontoons. In this version, a hole is cut in the middle pontoon and a rectangular flange welded thereabout. An opening is made in the frame of the pontoon boat with a rectangular framing support extending around and mounted to the flange around the opening in the middle pontoon. An opening covered by a hatch is placed in the deck over the rectangular frame and the opening in the pontoon so that the hatch may be lifted and gear stored in the middle pontoon.

As no under-deck storage has previously been available for pontoon boats with only two pontoons, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an under-deck storage unit that in one application can be used for a pontoon boat having only two pontoons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a watercraft is provided that includes a frame; pontoons mounted to the frame; a deck supported on the frame, the deck including a hatch covering an opening through the deck; and a storage unit mounted to the frame beneath the opening in the deck, and the storage unit having a bottom that is above a water line on the watercraft.

The storage unit may be formed from a rotational-molded plastic.

The bottom of the watercraft may include a trough. The trough may be deeper in one portion of the bottom. The depth of the trough may be graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of the storage unit to a deepest portion towards the rear thereof. The storage unit may also include a drain aperture at the deepest portion of the trough.

The frame may include structural members, and the storage unit may include channels in an upper mounting end thereof opposite the bottom for receipt of the structural members. The channels may have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from the mounting surface. The storage unit may further include mounting flanges having bolt holes for bolting the storage unit to the frame.

The storage unit may also include enlarged portions along the upper mounting end with the channels located between the enlarged portions.

In another embodiment of the subject invention a watercraft is provided that includes a frame; a pair of pontoons mounted to the frame; a deck supported on the frame, the deck having a hatch covering an opening through the deck; and a polymer storage unit mounted beneath the frame, the polymer storage unit having a top access opening coincident with the opening in the deck, and wherein gear may be placed in the polymer storage unit by opening the hatch and inserting the gear through the openings.

The storage unit may include a bottom having a trough. The trough is deeper in one portion of the bottom and a drain aperture is located at the deepest portion. The trough may run longitudinally along the bottom of the storage unit and the depth can be graduated from a shallowest point to the deepest portion.

The storage unit may include enlarged portions along an upper mounting end thereof and channels located between the enlarged portions.

The watercraft may further include a mounting flange extending about an opening in the upper mounting end of the storage unit and located on the interior of the enlarged portions and having mounting holes extending therethrough. The watercraft may also include channels between the enlarged portions for receipt of structural members of the frame. The channels may have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending into the enlarged portions and away from the mounting surfaces.

The storage unit may also include a front enlarged portion extending across the front thereof, a rear enlarged portion extending across the rear and a pair of side enlarged portions on each side of the opening.

The storage unit may also include a radiused portion extending across the front thereof.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide an embodiment of a watercraft including a frame; a pair of pontoons mounted longitudinally along the outer ends of the frame; a deck supported on the frame, the deck having a hatch covering an opening through the deck; and a storage unit mounted beneath the frame in an open area extending between the pontoons, the storage unit having a top access opening coincident with the opening in the deck.

The storage unit may include a trough having a drain aperture. The trough may have a depth that is graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of the storage unit to a deepest portion towards the rear thereof where the drain aperture is located. The storage unit may include an upper mounting end having channels, and the frame includes structural members received in the channels. The channels can be wider at the open end than at the bottoms thereof.

The watercraft may further include a mounting flange extending around an opening in an upper mounting end of the storage unit, the mounting flange having bolt holes for mounting the storage unit to the frame. The upper mounting end of the storage unit may also include enlarged portions and the channels can be located between the enlarged portions.

It is an additional feature of the invention to provide an under-deck storage unit for use on a watercraft, wherein the under-deck storage unit includes a front section; a rear section; a bottom section; and an upper mounting section having an access opening therein and receiving channels for receipt of structural frame members of the watercraft.

The under-deck storage unit may be formed from a rotational-molded plastic.

The under-deck storage unit may further include a mounting flange extending around the access opening for mounting the storage unit to the watercraft.

The under-deck storage unit channels may have a lower mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from the mounting surface. The under-deck storage unit channels may be defined by enlarged portions around the periphery of the upper mounting surface. The under-deck storage unit may further include a front enlarged portion extending across the front section, a rear enlarged portion extending across the rear section, and two pairs of side enlarged portions straddling the access opening.

The under-deck storage unit may further include a trough extending along the bottom section. The trough may be deeper in one portion of the bottom. The trough may extend longitudinally along the center of the bottom, and the depth of the trough may be graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of the storage unit to a deepest portion towards the rear thereof.

The under-deck storage unit may further include a drain aperture in the bottom section. The drain aperture may be located in a trough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a pontoon boat having an under-deck storage unit in accordance with the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pontoons, a frame and the under-deck storage unit of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1 removed therefrom for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pontoons, frame and under-deck storage unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the under-deck storage unit of the subject invention removed from the pontoon boat;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the under-deck storage unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the under-deck storage unit of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the frame and under-deck storage unit taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the frame and under-deck storage unit taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention, which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a watercraft is generally indicated as 10. In the embodiment shown, watercraft 10 is a pontoon-style boat having a deck, generally indicated as 12; a pair of pontoons 14; a plurality of seats, generally indicated as 16; and a railing structure, generally indicated as 18, all of which are known. Located in and extending through deck 12 is an opening 20, and a hatch 22 is provided for covering opening 20. Hatch 22 may be either completely removable or attached with a hinge to deck 12 to provide access for storing gear and other items in a storage unit in accordance with the subject invention that is located beneath opening 20, as is discussed in further detail below.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a frame, generally indicated as 24, is shown. Frame 24 supports deck 12, and pontoons 14 are mounted to frame 24 so that watercraft 10 will float in a body of water 28 with respect to a waterline 29 of the body of water (FIG. 3). A storage unit, generally indicated as 32, is also mounted to and supported by frame 24.

In the embodiment shown, frame 24 has a plurality of structural members, such as aluminum C-channels, including longitudinal members 34 a-34 d and lateral members 36 a-36 g. Structural members 34 a and 34 b run generally parallel to pontoons 14 along the port side of watercraft 10, and structural members 34 c and 34 d extend parallel to pontoons 14 along the starboard side of watercraft 10. Lateral structural members 36 a-36 g are spaced along longitudinal structural members 34 a-34 d from the bow of watercraft 10 to the stern, respectively.

Frame 24 also includes an internal rectangular frame section, generally indicated as 38, that forms the support for mounting and provides an opening in the frame for storage unit 32. Lateral structural members 36 d and 36 e form the forward and rearward ends, respectively, of rectangular frame section 38, and the sides are formed by a pair of shortened longitudinal side members 40 a, 40 b. Side members 40 a, 40 b are reinforced by shortened lateral structural members 42 a, 42 b, respectively. Lateral structural member 42 a extends from longitudinal structural members 34 a and 34 b to side member 40 a, and lateral structural member 42 b extends from longitudinal structural members 34 c and 34 d to side member 40 b. The structural members are welded, bolted or otherwise attached together with known fastening mechanisms in the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

Now referring to FIGS. 4-6, under-deck storage unit 32 is shown in greater detail. Under-deck storage unit 32 has a generally rectangular configuration and includes a front end, generally indicated as 50; a rear end, generally indicated as 52; a bottom, generally indicated as 54; sides 55 a and 55 b and an upper mounting end, generally indicated as 56. Front end 50 of storage unit 32 has a radiused portion 60 extending across thereof for reasons discussed below. Rear end 52 of under-deck storage unit 32 consists essentially of a generally vertical wall 62, and bottom 54 consists primarily of a generally flat horizontal underside 64, and further includes a trough, generally indicated as 66, running longitudinally along the central portion of bottom 54. Trough 66 has a generally radiused cross-section that varies in depth and gradually increases in depth from the front end 50 towards the rear end 52 of under-deck storage unit 32. A drain hole or aperture 68 may be placed at the deepest portion of trough 66. A plug (not shown) may be provided to releasably close drain hole 68. Also, underside 64 may have a slight slope towards trough 66 for draining any water that may enter the storage unit into the trough and out drain hole 68.

Upper mounting end 56 of under-deck storage unit 32 includes a generally rectangular opening, generally indicated as 70; a front block or enlarged portion 72; a rear block or enlarged portion 74; and four side blocks or enlarged portions 76 a-76 d, with two side blocks on each side of and straddling opening 70. Channels are located between each of the blocks to receive respective structural members of frame 24. A front channel 80 is located between front block 72 and side blocks 76 a, 76 c, and a rear channel, generally indicated as 82, is located between rear block 74 and side blocks 76 b, 76 d. In addition, a pair of intermediate channels, generally indicated as 84 a and 84 b, are located between blocks 76 a, 76 b and 76 c, 76 d, respectively. At the base of each channel 80, 82, 84 a and 84 b is a mounting surface 90 a, 90 b, 90 c, and 90 d, respectively, which can be placed against the respective structural members of frame 24 when under-deck storage unit 32 is mounted to the frame, as shown in FIG. 2. The sides of the channels have inclined surfaces that slope up and away from the mounting surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration so that the top of the channel is wider than the bottom thereof adjacent the mounting surfaces. Also located at upper mounting end 56 of under-deck storage unit 32 is a rectangular mounting flange, generally indicated as 92, including a plurality of mounting holes 94 for mounting the under-deck storage unit to structural members 40 a, 40 b, with bolts 96 and nuts 98 (FIG. 7), as discussed in further detail below.

One method of manufacturing the under-deck storage unit of the subject invention is through a rotational-molding process so that the storage unit is made of a plastic/polymer material as a single unitary piece. Another advantage of manufacturing the storage unit with this method is that the enlarged portions 72, 74, and 76 a-d may be hollow and provide buoyancy to the storage unit in the event that it is dropped into or becomes dislodged in the water.

To assemble the under-deck storage unit to the frame in accordance with the subject invention, frame 24 is cut and assembled using known methods of welding and/or fasteners, to provide rectangular frame section 38 therein. Rectangular frame section 38 is formed by facing the open side of C-channels structural members 36 d, 36 e, 40 a, and 40 b outward away from the central portion of rectangular frame section 38. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, under-deck storage unit 32 is fitted up against rectangular frame section 38 so that front block 72 is located in front of structural member 36 d and rear block 74 is located behind structural member 36 e. Side blocks 76 a-76 d are placed between structural members 36 d and 36 e with side blocks 76 a and 76 b straddling lateral structure member 42 a and side blocks 76 c and 76 d straddling lateral structural member 42 b. Furthermore, storage unit 32 is fit against frame 24 so that lateral structural member 36 d is located in front channel 80 and up against mounting surface 90 a, and lateral structure member 36 e is placed in rear channel 82 and against mounting surface 90 b. Lateral structure members 42 a and 42 b are located in intermediate channels 84 a and 84 b and against mounting surfaces 90 c, 90 d, respectively. When under-deck storage unit 32 is thusly placed and located, it can then be attached to frame 24 by affixing rectangular mounting flange 92 to the bottom flanges of lateral structural members 42 a and 42 b using bolts 96 inserted through mounting holes 94 and securing the bolts with nuts 98.

In operation, under-deck storage unit 32 can be used to store gear and other material in watercraft 10 by lifting or removing hatch 22 and placing the gear through opening 20 in deck 12 and into access opening 70. When watercraft 10 is in motion or if there is wave action, radiused portion 60 in front end 50 of under-deck store unit 32 aids breaking waves and to decrease splashing. For any water that may gain entry into under-deck storage unit 32, trough 26 and drain aperture 68 provide a drainage path. It should be appreciated that the slope in the bottom of trough 66 guides any water in the under-deck storage unit to drain aperture 68. A plug may be placed in drain aperture 68 to prevent water from entering storage unit 32 therethrough.

It should also be appreciated that in the embodiment disclosed, under-deck storage unit 32 as mounted to watercraft 10 is located at a level above waterline 29 to reduce drag caused therefrom and to help reduce splashing. It should also be appreciated that sealing members or adhesives may be used in the fit-up of under-deck storage unit 32 to watercraft 10 to help preclude any water that may splash around the top end of the storage unit from entering into the interior portion thereof.

While the invention has been taught with specific reference to these embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shape may be changed to other than rectangular, and the frame section for mounting the storage unit can be varied to complement the storage unit shape. Also, the storage unit may be located at any other desired position beneath the deck and between the pontoons. In addition, the storage unit of the present invention may be used on other types of watercraft in addition to pontoon boats. The described embodiments are to be considered, therefore, in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. As such, the scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the description. 

1. A watercraft comprising: a frame; pontoons mounted to said frame; a deck supported on said frame, said deck including a hatch covering an opening through said deck; and a storage unit mounted to said frame beneath said opening in said deck, and said storage unit having a bottom that is above a water line of the watercraft.
 2. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storage unit is formed from a rotational molded plastic.
 3. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bottom of the storage unit includes a trough.
 4. The watercraft as set forth in claim 3, wherein said trough is deeper in one portion of said bottom.
 5. The watercraft as set forth in claim 4, wherein the depth of said trough is graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of said storage unit to a deepest portion towards the rear thereof.
 6. The watercraft as set forth in claim 4, including a drain aperture at the deepest portion of the trough.
 7. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame includes structural members, and said storage unit includes channels in an upper mounting end thereof opposite said bottom configured to receive said structural members.
 8. The watercraft as set forth in claim 7, wherein said channels have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from the mounting surface.
 9. The watercraft as set forth in claim 8, further including mounting flanges having bolt holes for bolting for said storage unit to said frame.
 10. The watercraft as set forth in claim 7, wherein said storage unit includes enlarged portions along said upper mounting end and said channels are located between said enlarged portions.
 11. A watercraft comprising: a frame; a pair of pontoons mounted to said frame; a deck supported on said frame, said deck having a covering for an opening through said deck; and a polymer storage unit mounted beneath said frame, said polymer storage unit having a top access opening coincident with said opening in said deck, and wherein gear may be placed in said polymer storage unit by opening said covering and inserting the gear through said openings.
 12. The watercraft as set forth in claim 11, wherein said storage unit has a bottom including a trough.
 13. The watercraft as set forth in claim 12, wherein said trough is deeper in one portion of said bottom and a drain aperture is located at the deepest portion.
 14. The watercraft as set forth in claim 13, wherein said trough runs longitudinally along said bottom of said storage unit, and the depth is graduated from a shallowest point to the deepest portion.
 15. The watercraft of claim 11, wherein said storage unit includes enlarged portions along an upper mounting end thereof and channels located between the enlarged portions.
 16. The watercraft as set forth in claim 15, further including a mounting flange extending about an access opening in said upper mounting end of said storage unit and located on the interior of said enlarged portions and having mounting holes extending therethrough.
 17. The watercraft as set forth in claim 15, including channels between said enlarged portions for receipt of structural members of said frame.
 18. The watercraft as set forth in claim 17, wherein said channels have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending into said enlarged portions and away from said mounting surfaces.
 19. The watercraft as set forth in claim 16, wherein said storage unit includes a front enlarged portion extending across the front thereof, a rear enlarged portion extending across the rear and a pair of side enlarged portions on each side of said access opening.
 20. The watercraft as set forth in claim 11, wherein said storage unit includes a radiused portion extending across the front thereof.
 21. A watercraft comprising: a frame; a pair of pontoons mounted longitudinally along the outer ends of said frame; a deck supported on said frame, said deck having a hatch covering an opening through said deck; and a storage unit mounted beneath said frame in an open area extending between said pontoons, said storage unit having a top access opening coincident with said opening in said deck.
 22. The watercraft as set forth in claim 21, wherein said storage unit includes a trough having a drain aperture.
 23. The watercraft as set forth in claim 22, wherein said trough has a depth that is graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of said storage unit to a deepest portion towards the rear thereof where said drain aperture is located.
 24. The watercraft as set forth in claim 21, wherein said storage unit includes an upper mounting end having channels, and said frame includes structural members received in said channels.
 25. The watercraft as set forth in claim 24, wherein said channels are wider at the open end than at the bottoms thereof.
 26. The watercraft as set forth in claim 21, further including a mounting flange extending around an opening in an upper mounting end of said storage unit, said mounting flange having bolt holes for mounting said storage unit to said frame.
 27. The watercraft as set forth in claim 24, wherein said upper mounting end of said storage unit includes enlarged portions and said channels are located between said enlarged portions.
 28. An under-deck storage unit for use on a watercraft, said under-deck storage unit comprising: a front section; a rear section; a bottom section; and an upper mounting section having an access opening therein and receiving channels for receipt of structural frame members of the watercraft.
 29. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, wherein said storage unit is formed from a rotational-molded plastic.
 30. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, further including a mounting flange extending around said access opening for mounting said storage unit to the watercraft.
 31. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, wherein said channels have a lower mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from said mounting surface.
 32. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, wherein said channels are defined by enlarged portions around the periphery of said upper mounting surface.
 33. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 32, including a front enlarged portion extending across said front section, a rear enlarged portion extending across said rear section, and two pairs of side enlarged portions straddling said access opening.
 34. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, further including a trough extending along said bottom section.
 35. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 34, wherein said trough is deeper in one portion of said bottom section.
 36. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 35, wherein said trough extends longitudinally along the center of said bottom section, and the depth of the trough is graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of said storage unit and deepest towards the rear thereof.
 37. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 28, including a drain aperture in said bottom section.
 38. The under-deck storage unit as set forth in claim 37, wherein said drain aperture is located in a trough. 